‘Darfur vehicle thieves’ hands to be chopped-off’: Al Bashir

President Omar Al Bashir has directed the Courts that from today, anyone found guilty of vehicle theft in Darfur will be sentenced to have their hand cut-off, according to Islamic law.

Al Bashir was speaking to a mass rally in the South Darfur capital of Nyala on the third day of a tour of the Darfur states ahead of the referendum this month.

He was commenting on the phenomenon of cars stolen and seized from neighbouring countries by the militias in Darfur. Most of these vehicles are only temporarily licenced. Bashir said that these vehicles will now be properly licenced and codified, so that each vehicle has a registered number and appropriate registration papers.

In his speech, Al Bashir said that “after today, if a car is found to be stolen, the thief will be brought to justice. The value of a vehicle is sufficient to justify the sentence of having the right hand cut-off, according to Islamic law.”

The punishment is indeed provided for by Articles 170 and 171 of the Sudanese Penal Code of 1991, which stipulates the cutting off a thief’s right hand.

Tolls

Al Bashir also issued a directive banning collection of any tolls or fees on the roads, excluding fees issued for the interest of the National Roads and Bridges Corporation, the Sudan News Agency (SUNA) reports.

Al Bashir said that the imposition of fees on the roads has contributed to increasing prices of basic commodities and hindering the flow of goods.

He promised the citizens of Nyala that “the problem of water shortage in the city will be solved drastically”.

Qatar

He lauded the stances of the State of Qatar in supporting Sudan regionally and internationally and in the fields of development and rehabilitation.

He also praised the role of the State of Qatar in sponsoring the negotiations for realizing peace in Darfur, referring to the endeavours of Qatar to establish a special bank for development in Darfur.